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Some dogs get in the car and immediately assume adventure, or at the very least, a trip for a pup cup. Others? They assume betrayal. This little cream-colored, Longhaired Dachshund<\/strong> named Ellie is firmly in the second group. She\u2019s sitting in the front seat in a pink winter vest, looking like a tiny Victorian child being sent away to boarding school. Her dad asks, \u201cWhat?\u201d then reassures her, \u201cYou\u2019re fine.\u201d She is, in fact, not fine.<\/p>\n She is shaking and whining.<\/p>\n And then he asks the most important question of the entire video: \u201cWant me to hold your hand?\u201d<\/p>\n Dear reader. She does.<\/p>\n TikTok user @elliedalilween<\/a> captioned it, \u201cDad-oholic 24\/7. Holding hands is non-negotiable,\u201d and that pretty much sums it up.<\/p>\n The second he holds her little paw, she visibly settles. Not dramatically. Not over the top. Just enough to say yes, this is the correct arrangement.<\/p>\n Related: Golden Retriever Making Mom \u2018Hold His Hand\u2019 Is a Full-Time Job<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s just a girl.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis might be the prettiest dog I\u2019ve ever seen.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou better keep holding her paw!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe shouldn\u2019t have even had to ask!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe just needed some emotional support.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMy 75 lb. Golden Retriever<\/a><\/strong>insists on holding my hand in the car, only letting go when I tell him I have to turn.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat a delicate little buttercup.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSir, apparently, I am not fine! Yes, hold my hand!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPassenger princess.\u201d<\/p>\n And honestly? Passenger princess is accurate.<\/p>\n There is something about a Longhaired Dachshund<\/a> that already feels delicate, and then you add trembling and a pink vest, and now we\u2019re in full emotional support territory. She looks like she has very strong opinions about seat warmers.<\/p>\n Whenever I try to hold any of my pets\u2019 paws, though, they immediately assume it\u2019s time for a nail trim. The second I gently touch a paw, they go stiff like I\u2019ve pulled out clippers. Trust issues everywhere.<\/p>\n Meatball (my huge Maine Coon<\/strong>) used to tolerate his travel system like a gentleman<\/a>. It was this whole structured setup that made me feel like a responsible adult. Now he is so enormous that he barely fits in anything. He looks at the old carrier as if it\u2019s a suggestion. I genuinely need to upgrade before his next vet appointment, maybe a kennel in the trunk area, because he is built like a furry ottoman at this point. He became a big boy quickly.<\/p>\n This Dachshund, though? She just needs a hand.<\/p>\n Also, I\u2019m not saying I would drive one-handed for an unreasonable amount of time if my dog looked at me like that, but I\u2019m not not saying it either.<\/p>\n While holding paws is adorable, safety in the car is important for both pets and their people.<\/p>\n Small dogs should ideally ride in a secured carrier or a properly fitted, crash-tested harness that attaches to the seatbelt. Allowing pets to roam freely<\/a> in the front seat can increase the risk of injury during sudden stops or accidents.<\/p>\n For larger pups and cats, sturdy crates or travel kennels<\/a> secured in the trunk area of an SUV can provide more protection. There are also vehicle barriers designed to keep pets safely contained in the back.<\/p>\n It\u2019s always a good idea to get pets used to car travel slowly, using positive reinforcement (lots of treats!) and short practice drives. Some animals simply need reassurance, like this little Dachshund<\/a>. Others need structure. And some, like my own dog Kingston, just need to dramatically announce their feelings about everything.<\/p>\n The goal is safety first. Paw holding second. Even if it is very hard to resist.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udc36<\/a>SIGN UP to get \u201cpawsitivity\u201d delivered right to your inbox with inspiring & entertaining stories about our furry & feathered friends<\/strong><\/a>\ud83d\udc3e\ud83d\udc3e<\/a><\/p>\n This story was originally published by Parade Pets<\/a> on Feb 18, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News<\/a> section. Add Parade Pets as a Preferred Source by clicking here.<\/a><\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\nHow To Keep Your Pet Safe in the Car<\/h2>\n